News Watch (21-10-2017)

Jordanian Queen to visit Rohingyas on Monday

Jordanian Queen Rania Al Abdullah will visit Cox's Bazar on Monday (Oct 23) to see for herself the Rohingya plight on the ground. Queen Rania is scheduled to reach there on Monday morning, an official concerned said on Friday. In her capacity as a board member of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and as an advocate of the work of UN humanitarian agencies, the Queen will visit the Rohingyas. Rania will visit Kutupalong Refugee Camp and its surroundings in Cox's Bazar, where she will meet the refugees, who have recently crossed the border from Myanmar. She will also see some of the emergency services offered by IRC, UNHCR, Unicef, and other humanitarian agencies. On conclusion of the visit, she will make a press statement, the official added. — UNB

Govt takes back Kishoreganj Textiles

The government has taken back Kishoreganj Textiles Mills Ltd from private sector for violating the major conditions set out during handing over the state-owned enterprise. "The prolonged closure of the mills caused unemployment of thousands of workers, which in fact negates the main objective of the handing over the mills to the private sector," said Sayed Chandra Halder, public relations officer of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. Besides, the mills authorities did not pay the government dues yet. The owner of the mills took loan from Sonali Bank mortgaging the factory though its final deed (dalil) is yet to be registered, and even prior approval for taking the loan is also yet to be taken from the government, he added. For these reasons, the government took back the textiles mills, all shares and other properties and its royalty on Thursday. Until further order, management of the factory will be under control of Bangladesh Textiles Mills Corporation. —UNB